www.windaction.orgfacts, analysis, exposure of wind energy's real impactsWindactionhttp://www.windaction.org/articles/c36+120?theme=atomXarayar2006-06-12T02:16:27Z
Golden eagles scupper wind farm.236662009-10-16T23:26:14Z2009-10-16T23:26:14ZBird experts have welcomed the Scottish Government's decision to refuse permission for a wind farm they said would have posed a risk to golden eagles.
WPR Wind Ltd hoped to build a 14-turbine wind farm near Inveraray in Argyll. However, RSPB Scotland objected to the proposal on the grounds that the site was one of the most productive areas in the country for golden eagles.Do wind turbines kill wildlife? .233282009-09-27T01:55:49Z2009-09-27T01:55:49ZWind turbine memorial. Illustration: Rob Biddulph Imagine that at the flick of a switch, you could not only turn a light on or off but select which power source you were going to use. Would an eco warrior choose wind power or coal? Surely this is a no-brainer.
Not necessarily.
Wind farms cause decline in bird population - RSPB .233262009-09-26T13:45:52Z2009-09-26T13:45:52ZWind farms can reduce bird numbers by up to half, according to a new study by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, that raises questions about the charity's support of the new technology. ...It suggested that the most likely cause of the decline is the fact that birds are less likely to live near wind farms because of the noise and development.'Poorly positioned' wind farms reduce rare birds' breeding .233152009-09-26T01:59:27Z2009-09-26T01:59:27ZThe RSPB Scotland study looked at 12 operating upland wind farms in the UK and found that numbers of several birds of high conservation concern are reduced close to the turbines.
Affected birds include the hen harrier and golden plover, which are protected under European law, and the curlew, which is a high-priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Ospreys take off.232032009-09-20T02:22:35Z2009-09-20T02:22:35ZScotland's ospreys are once again starting their epic annual winter migration to West Africa.
Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), the biggest land manager in the country, has been keeping a close watch on the success of the fish-eating birds of prey.
One of the birds monitored using satellite tracking technology is known as Red 8T.
Wind farm threat to Wales' national bird.230012009-09-06T12:19:10Z2009-09-06T12:19:10ZAn energy company has admitted precious Red Kites are at significant risk from its planned new wind farm complex in South Wales.
Now, campaigners against the controversial proposal in the Swansea Valley say they will prosecute npower renewables under the Wildlife and Countryside Act if the farm goes ahead and Red Kites - dubbed Wales' National Bird - are chopped up in turbine blades.
Plans for a windfarm may raise concerns.229932009-09-05T12:05:10Z2009-09-05T12:05:10ZNature conservationists are expected to raise concerns over potential plans to place four wind turbines close to an internationally important bird reserve. ...Martin Kerby, RSPB planning officer for the North-east said: ...
"When the planning application is submitted we will be looking very carefully at it. It depends on how many birds are passing through.
"It's about 1km from Saltholme but of most concern is the North Tees mudflats."
Impact of Shetland wind farm 'unacceptable' .223282009-07-24T16:50:17Z2009-07-24T16:50:17ZRSPB Scotland has today lodged a formal objection to the Viking wind farm proposal on Shetland.
After scrutinising in detail the developer's application, assessments have revealed there would be significant and unacceptable adverse impacts on many bird species should the development proceed as currently proposed.
Objection to wind farm over birds .223272009-07-24T16:42:05Z2009-07-24T16:42:05ZRSPB Scotland has lodged an objection to plans for Scotland's largest community wind farm, on Shetland.
The Viking Energy project, for 150 turbines, is a joint venture between Scottish and Southern Energy and the island community. ...Populations of birds, including the golden plover, could be threatened by some of the turbines, RSPB Scotland said. Turbines threaten rare birds.218122009-06-29T13:37:53Z2009-06-29T13:37:53ZA pond in the north of the site has been the home of marsh harriers and bitterns since at least 2005, research by the bird charity as shown.
But developer Ridge Wind said it had considered the environmental impact of its development and was sure there would be no damage caused by the windfarm.
Migrating swans get the chance to test if wind farms pose a threat to their safety.205582009-03-30T04:12:54Z2009-03-30T04:12:54ZIts aim is to find out the migration routes, the heights and speeds at which the whooper swans fly, and the effects of weather conditions on the swans' flight patterns.
This data will then be analysed in relation to existing offshore wind farms positioned in the Greater Wash and East Irish Sea areas, as well as potential wind farm sites.
Giant turbines could drown out the call of the wild.197512009-01-31T23:50:42Z2009-01-31T23:50:42ZBirdsong could be drowned out by the sound of giant wind turbines on a Northumberland moor say protesters, who have now organised a special event to highlight the diversity of species which flock there.
Members of Save Our Unspoiled Landscape (Soul) who are fighting plans for six turbines at Barmoor, near Lowick, called in birdsong recording expert Geoff Sample to capture the sounds around the neighbouring Ford Moss, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
RSPB to build wind farms on its bird reserves .190982008-12-07T13:09:39Z2008-12-07T13:09:39ZThe Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is drawing up plans that will see wind turbines constructed on its estates as part of a new green energy drive.
The move, which will see the RSPB generating power for its own buildings and selling any surplus to the National Grid, is likely to anger some RSPB members who believe wind farms pose a threat to rare birds of prey.
Sensible decision needed on potentially damaging wind farm.190112008-11-28T19:14:06Z2008-11-28T19:14:06ZRSPB Scotland put in written objections and supported Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in giving evidence to a public local inquiry which finished this week, opposing what could be enormously harmful impacts of the proposed 14 turbine windfarm at Stacain, near Dalmally, in Argyll. RSPB Scotland believes the area is entirely inappropriate for a wind farm, and ministers should reject the application.
The importance of the area for golden eagles, which are synonymous with Scotland's wild beauty, is such that it is almost certain to soon be proposed for designation as a Special Protection Area (SPA). If this goes ahead it will then be strictly protected under Scots and European law.
Lewis wind turbine inquiry opens .158052008-05-13T13:27:21Z2008-05-13T13:27:21ZA public inquiry into plans to build a 53-turbine wind farm close to a prehistoric site on the Isle of Lewis is to open in Stornoway. ...Mr Oppenheim had originally hoped to build 130 turbines on the Eishken Estate, but agreed to reduce this to 53 following objections from RSPB Scotland over the possible impact on birds of prey in the area such as golden eagles. Wind farm threat to bird species .142112008-02-19T13:57:35Z2008-02-19T13:57:35ZWildlife experts have urged wind farm developers in Cumbria to be more aware of the potential risk to wild birds.
The RSPB has issued a planning guide, which highlights areas that are home to species like the pink footed goose, whooper swan and hen harrier.
The organisation said the move was prompted by the proliferation of wind turbine planning applications.
Bid to ease wildlife rules to allow development of £500m Lewis wind farm .139552008-02-05T03:39:28Z2008-02-05T03:39:28ZPlans for Europe's largest wind farm could still be approved if ministers and environmental agencies can be persuaded to change their interpretation of rules protecting wildlife, councillors in the Western Isles heard yesterday.
Ministers indicated last month that they are "minded to refuse" Lewis Wind Power's (LWP) plans for a 181-turbine development on the environmentally sensitive Lewis peatlands, although a final decision has yet to be made.
Developers have until 15 February to respond.
Following a special meeting of Western Isles Council yesterday, a spokesman for the authority said:
"There is determination to do what we can to bring to the Scottish ministers' attention the opportunity that is in danger of being passed up here." ...the council is challenging the government's conclusions and insists the interpretation of environmental rules is too strict. It
Wildlife halts plans for wind power test.138002008-01-26T18:14:08Z2008-01-26T18:14:08ZWildlife has temporarily put a stop to plans for wind masts in two rural villages.
Electricity company npower Renewables has been told to withdraw planning applications for wind measuring devices at Saxby and Horkstow over concern for birds. Npower must now carry out a bird survey, in order to determine whether the 70ft poles will present a threat to the creatures.
The company requested permission to put up the masts last year. The devices measure an area's wind energy and help determine whether it would be a suitable site for wind turbines.
But despite the interruption to planning procedures, a spokeswoman for npower Renewables said the company would definitely resubmit the request.
"We have had to withdraw the application because the bird survey is likely to take more than eight weeks," she said.
Hearing on 21-turbine wind farm.129742007-12-03T01:01:30Z2007-12-03T01:01:30ZPlanners have recommended councillors do not oppose a proposed wind farm which has sparked concerns for wild geese and archaeological sites.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has objected to the 21-turbine scheme at Shebster, near Thurso.
Historic Scotland said it would have an "unacceptable adverse impact" on ancient sites including cairns.
The Scottish Government is consulting local Highland councillors, who will hold a hearing on Tuesday.
